Sardaar Ji 3, the latest installment in the popular Punjabi film franchise starring singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, was released globally—excluding India—on June 27, and has since sparked both controversy and commercial success.

Directed by Amar Hundal, the film faced criticism shortly after its trailer dropped, primarily over the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Amir. The backlash intensified following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, with many questioning the film’s timing and cross-border casting choices.

In response to the escalating sentiment, the producers decided to withhold the film’s release in India, a rare move for a major Punjabi-language film. Despite this, Sardaar Ji 3 has found strong footing overseas. According to entertainment portal KoiMoi, the film grossed around Rs 55 crore at the international box office by the end of its third weekend, with Canada and Pakistan emerging as leading markets.

A recent Instagram update from Team Diljit Dosanjh celebrated the film’s success, highlighting its “global rush” and noting that it had already earned Rs 52 crore within the first two weeks of release.

Speaking to BBC Asian Network, Dosanjh addressed the controversy and clarified that the film was completed well before tensions escalated in the region. “The film was shot in February 2025, when the geopolitical situation was stable,” he said. “After that, many serious developments occurred, beyond our control. So the producers chose not to release it in India and opted for an international release instead.”

He acknowledged the financial loss of skipping the Indian market but stood by the producers’ call: “I support their decision.”

Veteran filmmaker Kabir Khan, who directed the 2015 hit Bajrangi Bhaijaan—which marked its 10th anniversary on July 17—defended Diljit, saying it was “unfair to target” the actor for decisions made under unforeseen circumstances. Bajrangi Bhaijaan also dealt with cross-border narratives, centering on an Indian man helping a mute Pakistani girl reunite with her family.

Sardaar Ji 3 is jointly produced by Gunbir Singh Sidhu, Manmord Sidhu, and Diljit Dosanjh, and blends horror and comedy, continuing the successful formula of the earlier films in the franchise.